Abstract

We have previously reported the oxidation of kojic acid catalyzed by manganese peroxidase (MnP) from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. This reaction is strictly dependent on Mn(II), although it does not require the addition of hydrogen peroxide. We have extended these studies because this reaction can be considered as a model system for the in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide in natural environments. We show here that oxidation of kojic acid with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) plus hydrogen peroxide or with manganic acetate rendered a product with identical chromatographic and spectral properties as the one obtained in the reaction catalyzed by MnP. The initial lag observed in the latter reaction decreased significantly upon UV irradiation of the substrate. On the other hand, ascorbic acid increased the lag and did not affect the yield of the reaction. The superoxide anion trapping agents glutathione, nitroblue tetrazolium, and superoxide dismutase markedly affected the reaction. In contrast, addition of the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol and salicylic acid had no effect. Based on these results, a mechanism for the MnP-catalyzed reaction is proposed.